Improvement in spurs



ANSON MILLS, OF UNITED STATES ARMY.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPURS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 193,342. dated July 24, 1877; application filed July 10, 1877.

captain useful Improvements in Spurs used in the cavalry service and by other mounted men, which improvements are fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part thereof.

The main object of my invention is to provide an improved method of securingthe rowel in place by the use of a leather band or other soft flexible material, and thus do away with the stifl' and hard metallic frame or how of the spur now in common use, which metal bow is cumbersome, and on many accounts objectionable also, to furnish,in connection therewith, a convenient button and double loop, for the purpose of strapping down the pantaloons, and also to provide a simple and inexpensive attachment to serve, when desired, as a shield or rowel-protector.

To these ends my invention consists in a suitable band of leather or other flexible material, adapted to pass around the heel of the boot, and to which leather or other band the usual spur-strap and a strap passing under the boot are riveted. To this main band is riveted a small circular metal plate, slightly curved to fit the boot-heel, to plate is attached a light yoke or frame, extending outwardly, in whichthe rowel rotates freely, the leather or other band thus supporting the rowel-plate and making a flexible connection, in place of the ordinary steel bow of the spur. There is also a button and steelwire double loop, which springs apart, and is conveniently adapted to strap down the pantaloons to a metal eyelet inserted in the leather or other band which carries the rowelplate and, further, a two-part ring or shield, adapted to incase the rowel, clasping around it, and serving as a shield or protector against the sharp points thereof, but which ringshield is readily detached and carried in the pocket to be used at pleasure, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective which circular.

' f, the journal circular plate carrying thelight yoke or frame and the rowel swinging therein. Fig. 3'i's a plan view of the rowel, and of the two-part ring-shield or rowel-protector detachably connected thereto. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the steel-wire double loop and button for :strapping down the pantaloons and Fig. 5 represents my improved spur as a complete device applied to the foot, with the pantaloons strapped down.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts.

A is the main leather band, closely fitted to and passing around the heel of the boot, and to which the rowel-plate is secured a, the rivets coupling the band andstrap together; and a, metal eyelet-holes in the upper part of the band for passage of the double loop, &c. B is the ordinary spur-strap; b, its perforated tongue-piece, and b the buckle. G is the leather strap passing under the foot. D is the small circular plate, slightly curved tofit the shape of the boot-heel; and d, the rivet which secures it to the main leather band. E is the light yoke or frame, riveted to the circular plate; 0, its lugs or ears, and e the attaching-rivets. F is the rowel, journaled and rotating freely within the yoke or frame; and

or connecting pin passing through the lugs of the yoke, and holding the rowel in place. G is the steel-wire double hook orspring-loop g, the button, and g the upper ring-shaped portion of the double hook or spring-loop. H H is the two-part ring-shield or rowel-protector, and h h the clasp-pins, detachably clasping the two parts together, and, when in use, passing around and incasing the rowel.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my said invention, nothing more will be necessary than the above careful enumeration of all the several parts and their relative positions, taken in connection with the foregoing recital of nature of invention, due, care being taken to select the best materials, and

and its appurtenances, and is less liable to breakage Oraccidental displacement, is not so liable to chafe the boot or heel, or to accumulate and conduct the frost.

While primarily intended for the army or cavalry service, and intended to be made of extra strong and serviceable materials, it is obvious that there may be wide diflerences of design and ornamental finish without departing from the spirit of my invention. The material used, provided the main heel-band be flexible, may be varied, substituting, in place of leather, morocco, enameled leather, guttapercha, and the like, richly ornamented, and the metal-work may be silver or nickel plated, artistically designed, and elegantly finished.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a spur-holding device, the combination of the flexible band A, adapted to fit closely around the heel of a boot, with the rowelplate D and rowel F, all substantially as shown and described.

2. The curved'rowel-plate D, provided with the light yoke or frame E, and the rowel F, journaled and rotating freely therein, adapted for attachment to a leather heel-band, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In combination with spur attaching straps, the metallic spring-loop G, adapted, by

means of buttons and eyelets, to hold the pantaloons in place, all substantially as set forth.

4. The two'part ring-shield H H, having clasp-pins h h, in combination with the rowel, and serving as a detachable shield or protector thereto, substantially as specified.

5. An improved spur-holding device, consisting of the flexible heel-band A, straps B and (J, curved rowel-plate D, provided with frame or yoke E, rowel F, metallic sprin g-loop G, with or without the two-part ring or shield H H, all substantially as shown and described.

- The foregoing specification signed this 20th day of December, 1876. ANSON MILLS,

.O'aptain 3rd Cavalry, Bot. Lieut. Col. U. S. A. Witnesses:

E. A. KOERPER, HORACE MEEDE. 

